Manokwari, Jubi – The West Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Jhony Edizon Isir has ensured security in the Maybrat region of Southwest Papua, despite the local Regional Election Commission's (KPU) plan to relocate 31 polling stations (TPS) in five districts around Aifat Raya to the Maybrat Regency's capital, Kumurkek.

"We will guarantee the situation and public order there (Maybrat)," said Isir on Wednesday (10/1/2024).

Isir acknowledged that some of the refugees in the area have already returned to their hometowns.

"There are still some in the evacuation locations, but there are also those who have returned. If people want to return, we are ready to secure them," he explained.

The Police Chief mentioned that he would coordinate with the local KPU to ensure the planned relocation of TPS. "If the security aspect is considered critical at any point, we will assess whether it is as intense as in Papua, then we will see," Isir said.

Meanwhile, the Tambrauw Police Chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Aries Dwi, stated that in line with the Police Chief's directive, they would coordinate with various community leaders in Tambrauw to ensure the safe conduct of the elections. Tambrauw is an area bordering the Maybrat Regency and the Sorong Regency in Southwest Papua, as well as the Manokwari Regency in West Papua.

Andarias Kambu, the Chairman of the KPU Southwest-West Papua, has not responded to Jubi's confirmation regarding the relocation of 31 TPS in five districts around Aifat Raya. According to Antara, Andarias Kambu mentioned that 31 polling stations in five districts in Aifat Raya would be relocated to Kumurkek, the capital of the Maybrat Regency.

The KPU Chairman assessed that Aifat Raya is an area categorized as prone to conflict, posing a potential threat to the electoral process in the region.

"To anticipate this, we are relocating these 31 polling stations to a safe place so that the people can exercise their voting rights properly," said the KPU Chairman in Sorong on Tuesday.

Farli Simpetoding, the Chairman of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) Southwest-West Papua, stated that he would contact Jubi again after a meeting with the leadership. However, as of the publication of this news, there has been no statement from their side.

Previously, there was a shooting incident involving two Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in Maybrat on December 25, 2023. The incident resulted in the death of one TNI soldier, Hendrianto, while another soldier was shot in the abdomen but survived after receiving treatment. (*)

Source: https://en.jubi.id/police-assures-security-amidst-plans-to-relocate-polling-stations-in-maybrat